Toni McLelland MSc FRSA

1st Life Group

A London based boutique business consultancy specialising in working with Third Sector, Social Causes, NGOs and Social Entrepreneurs. We are experienced troubleshooters and turnaround specialists assisting you to navigate change, crisis as well as business development for futureproofing. I have a particular passion for services serving vulnerable groups and young people as well as social impact, mobility and justice.

www.1stlifegroup.com | +44 (0)203 504 0250 | info@1stlifegroup.com
Refer to client testimonials on linkedin and website

Management Consultant- Social Causes & Social Entrepreneurship

Queen of Compassion - we work with organisations and businesses to become more Compassionate 
Explore our 7 step guide which includes an audit and action plan
Or get in touch if we can assist with our 4Ps approach (Purpose People Planet Profit (Performance)
https://1stlifegroup.com/services/the-compassionate-business/

Founder - The Compassionate Business and Compassionate Leadership

The Sporting Club

Member and Co Host of The Sporting Club Wales twice monthly 'Coffee Mornings' in Cardiff. Supporting the Vision and Mission of Sporting Club UK invited guests are able to join us for 'Coffee Conversation and Connection plus Co Work in our exclusive members lounge in Cardiff. Membership includes access to members lounges and exclusive events across the UK plus networking and business opportunities.

The Sporting Club | Wales Ambassador & Co Host | Member 

Careers Wales

Board Member and serving Committee Member for The Impact and Performance Committee
Promoting DEIB, Compassionate approaches, measuring impact and ensuring there are suitable opportunities for professional and business development in all communities across Wales

Non Executive Director

UK Government Wales/Llywodraeth DU Cymru

Business Mentor - Social Entrepreneur Start Ups

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

Big Ideas Wales-Business Role Model. Speaker & Facilitator for Social Entrepreneurship and Start Up Programmes for schools, colleges and universities. Inspirational talks, workshops, business planning & Start Up advice with a focus on public interest causes

Business Wales - Start Up & Social Entrepreneur Programme

The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce)

Working at the heart of innovation with other changemakers and leaders who are catalysts for improvement and change in social causes.

RSA Fellow

ForbesBLK

Member

Business Advice Australia

Business advisor and consultant to Start Ups and Social Entrepreneurs with a particular interest in Social and Public Causes, Social Impact, Social Justice and Social Mobility.

Business Consultant-Start Ups & Social Entrepreneurs

G100: Mission Million

UK Chair - Business Consulting 

Della Leaders Club

Honorary Board Member & Business Mentor- Della Leaders Club- Risk & Crisis Management - Management Team | London
Mentoring, assisting and empowering social entrepreneurs with business- assessing risk and managing crisis

Honorary Board Member & Mentor- Risk & Crisis Management 

✨Critical Friend for C-Suite Leaders & Boards in Social Causes✨Change & Crisis Specialist✨Business Mentor for Social Entrepreneurs & Start Ups✨Queen of Compassion & DEIB Veteran with 30+ years wisdom & #TonisFairyDust✨

I'm a straight-talking Business Mentor / consultant with specialist knowledge of Social Causes. As a business turnaround specialist I assist boards & C-Suite to navigate crisis & embed change for sustained business growth. 

As Queen of Compassion DEIB underpins my work & I use my 5Ps (Purpose People Planet Profit or Performance) to futureproof business, this comes from years of strategic experience leading large multidisciplinary teams & multi-million-pound budgets in central government, PLC, private & charitable causes. 

SO WHY ME?

When you engage me as a business mentor or consultant, you get:

✨ 3 decades of strategic business experience in DEIB, criminal justice, SEND, disability, social care &  high-profile public critical incidents (e.g.London riots, Grenfell, bombings)  
✨Understanding of compliance, regulatory inspection, safeguarding & business continuity (most business mentors don't know these areas well)
✨A passion for social entrepreneurs to be paid for their cause
✨Appreciation of my unique 5 pillar assessment ‘BLEND’ Model, DEIB & Compassion for lasting results.

Working with larger businesses in organisational development i'm the safe, experienced lead having assisted household names such as, Coca-Cola, BBC, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, MIND & NHS. 

So yes, I’m the person you want on board in a crisis.! My clients describe me as a"critical friend" i'm compassionate, straightforward & described as Fairy Dust personified. 

Notable achievements include:

🎯Identified >£1 million uncharged fees in an audit for PLC company<2 weeks.
🎯An ‘outstanding’ inspection for The Ministry of Justice < 6 months in post
🎯Cut agency staff expenditure by 80k per month (£1 million loss per annum)<2 months.
🎯Delivered diversity training for the Met Police for Stephen Lawrence Macpherson Inquiry 
🎯Assisted a start up from minus deficit to £117k in 8 months

I take time to understand people whilst inspiring, supporting & empowering. Although working with larger corporations, I share my learning, experience & gifts with social entrepreneurs starting out on their journey.

SO ARE YOU :-

✔️An organisation requiring specialist advice or inclusive approaches
✔️Looking to develop business acumen to lead an organisation well or secure a C Suite| Board role 
✔️A social entrepreneur| Start Up wanting advice (ROI< 2 months)

Perhaps curious about my 'BLEND' Model or need some #TonisFairyDust? 

If you need a committed, compassionate business mentor or management consultant with decades of experience, making a difference & impact call +44 (0)203 504 0250

Critical Friend & Business Mentor - Social Causes & StartUps 

A London based boutique business consultancy specialising in working with NGOs and Social Entrepreneurs. We support business in DEIB, Social Impact, Social Justice, Social Mobility areas, and Public Interest Causes. In layman's terms it could be organisations, coaches and consultants who provide services for vulnerable groups e.g Disability, Specialist Education, Social Care and Criminal Justice. 

Work with us if you are:-

💎Organisation- navigating change, crisis, or need to introduce DEIB & Compassionate Leadership
💎Social Entrepreneur or Start Up- Looking to develop your service offer and gain clients
💎A Professional looking to advance professionally in this area to a C Suite or board role

When you work with us you will become a market leader differentiating you from the crowd, we will futureproof or grow your business with the application of the 4Ps People Purpose Planet and Profit (or performance) with clear strategies and practical assistance with support to gain clients and grow.

www.1stlifegroup.com | +44 (0)203 504 0250 | info@1stlifegroup.com

Refer to client testimonials on linkedin and website

Right Management

Provide coaching and transitional career support for professionals seeking their next opportunity.  I help each candidate with job search strategies as well as the tactical exercises around personal branding, interviewing, and their overall job search, in addition to helping with job transition mindset and navigating multiple decisions.

Career Management Consultant

Move Your Mountain LLC

Leadership Consultant and Event Speaker

Clifton Larson

Senior Consultant for CLA CAST

Northwest Swiss-Matic, LLC and Mitotec Precision

Tioga Air Heaters

Controller

Land O'Lakes

Performed planning, forecasting, and analysis on an enterprise level to support the leadership team.  Duties ranged from supporting all Corporate department budgets to writing board materials and communicating company-wide variances.

Corporate FP&A Manager

Feed My Starving Children

Led all finance/accounting functions from strategic planning, growth modeling, and breakeven analysis to daily financial reporting, banking, audit and tax.

Director of Finance & Accounting

Tennant Company

Managed financial portfolio of global R&D organization and partnered with Engineering, Product Marketing, Operations, and Procurement to launch new products.

Finance Manager II (Sr Finance Mgr)

Medtronic

Led Corporate-wide planning and reporting function, delivering forecasts and analysis to executive management and partnering with business units.
Also worked in Operations and R&D, managing all financial aspects of product launches and lean manufacturing.

Finance Manager

Hi, I’m Barb Monson, and I help leaders, teams—and especially professional women—thrive in today’s evolving workplace.

As an International Speaker, Workplace Consultant, and Career Transition Coach, I deliver practical, actionable insights that:

• Equip leaders to drive results, foster collaboration, and adapt to the post-COVID workplace.
• Empower job seekers and professionals—especially women—to clarify their personal brand, increase visibility, and land roles or recognition they truly deserve.

In a world where culture shifts fast and expectations are high, I bridge the gap between what’s expected and what’s possible. Whether you're leading a team through change or rebranding yourself for that next bold move, I offer clear strategies that inspire real results.

⌚ Maybe you’re struggling to delegate without dropping balls—or trust.
⌚ Maybe your team feels disconnected, and it’s impacting morale.
⌚ Maybe you’re ready to be seen differently—to level up, lead, or leave.

What sets me apart? As a former CFO, I learned to see the story behind the numbers—and the people behind the performance. Today, I use those same skills to read the room, uncover the unspoken, and help individuals and teams implement—not just learn—solutions.

Here’s how I can help you:
💡 Engaging workshops that tackle real challenges and spark collaboration.
💡 Dynamic keynotes and speaking engagements for conferences and corporate events.
💡 Targeted coaching and programs to elevate your leadership, presence, or career trajectory.

Let’s connect—whether you're managing others or managing your own next chapter.
Send me a message here on LinkedIn or email me directly at info@barbmonson.com.

Warmly,
Barb

taplio

The Battle

Toni McLelland MSc FRSA

Barb Monson, MBA

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